Centennial Challenge 2008

4-H Centennial Challenge Camp kicks off with a parish photo (Top Row Left → Right) Trey Nelson, Thomas Forbes, Jr., Savannah Guidry, Jasper Williams, and Walter Hutchinson. (Middle Row Left → Right) Alanna Williams, counselor, Andre' St. Romain, counselor, Joshua Simon, and Brandon Slaughter. (Bottom Row Left → Right) Alfreda Williams, parent leader, Kaitlyn Andre', Kayla Bergeron, Courtney Clement, and Layne Langley, 4-H Agent.

From March 27-29, 2008, 10 7^th & 8^th grade 4-H’ers traveled to Camp Grant Walker in Pollock, Louisiana to participate in the South Central Region Centennial Challenge Camp. This camp was created to help teens improve their decision making skills, communication skills, and teamwork skills while developing a positive self-concept. To help celebrate Louisiana 4-H’s 100^th Birthday, the camp used the theme Centennial Challenge 2008.

To kick off Centennial Challenge, the teens were divided into groups and began participating in group challenges with hopes of winning boat supplies for their boat construction. The boat supply challenges included: Bull Ring, Human Bridge, Rope Knots, and Hands Down. These activities not only helped the groups with supplies but also served as ice breakers/getting acquainted for the 4-H’ers to meet each other. Later that evening, the groups brainstormed cardboard boat designs. The 4-H’ers then had the option of attending the dance or playing board games. The first night ended with a vesper program – a time for reflection of the days events.

The second day was filled with outdoor challenges including: Trolley, Spider’s Web, Meuse, Nitro Crossing, and indoor challenges including: A Puzzling Team The Domino Effect, My Gold Medal, and Egg Drop. All of the challenges had the groups working together to accomplish a common goal. Two Pointe Coupee 4-H’ers, Kaitlyn Andre' and Thomas Forbes, Jr. volunteered to assist with the Wetlands Community Service Project. They helped plant wetland plants: irises and pitcher plants and assisted with assembling a bat box for the camp grounds.

All 4-H’ers were eager to work on constructing their cardboard boats from the designs they brainstormed the night before. After working on their boats, each group selected a couple of representatives to paddle their boat across the swimming pool. The Boat Launch was the highlight of the camp. Free time was next on the agenda for the 4-H’ers. To further carry out the centennial theme, the campers were treated to a banquet where the decorations of green and white engulfed the cafeteria. After the banquet, each group gave their boat presentations: (tying them in to 4-H’s 100^th birthday). Awards followed with reorganization of the Best Counselor and Best Camper from each group and an overall of each was awarded. The day ended with a movie, dance, board games, and vesper program.

On Saturday, March 29, the campers completed evaluations and were presented with a slide show of the camp’s activities. Those 4-H’ers attending from Pointe Coupee were: Jasper Williams, Savannah Guidry, Courtney Clement, Kaitlyn Andre', Kayla Bergeron, Thomas Forbes, Jr., Brandon Slaughter, Trey Nelson, Walter Hutchinson, and Joshua Simon. Special thanks to Alanna Williams and André St. Romain for serving as camp counselors and to Alfreda Williams for volunteering her time as a camp leader.